The Bureau of Meteorology and SES have issued warnings for the Illawarra and southern coastal areas saying the region can expect gale force winds from Tuesday evening through to Wednesday.

``Damaging winds averaging 65 km/h with peak gusts of 100 km/h are possible along the coast fringe of the Metropolitan, Hunter, Illawarra and southern parts of the Mid North Coast forecast districts Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.,'' the SES said.

The gale force wind warning comes after Surf Life Saving NSW advised against any coastal activities due to dangerous surf conditions for the NSW coast until Saturday 6th September.

They say a significant south to south easterly swell is expected to reach 4.5m in some areas with a swell period of 12 seconds. Conditions are expected to increase steadily throughout the week, peak on Wednesday and Thursday and begin to ease on Friday.

Following the death of fisherman in dangerous surf conditions in Kiama and Sydney in recent weeks, SLSNSW Lifesaving Manager Andy Kent is pleading with people to heed warnings and assess the conditions before heading out fishing, swimming, surfing or boating this week.

‘‘Surf lifesavers are preparing for another dangerous week of surf conditions impacting a significant area of the coastline until the weekend and I would ask people to think hard and reconsider before putting themselves in danger,’’ he said.

‘‘These conditions will not be safe for coastal activities including rock-fishing and until these conditions moderate, it is not worth the risk to yourself and to others and I urge people to heed the warnings and take a break this week.’’

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting large and powerful surf conditions in the Illawarra for Tuesday from the afternoon and for Wednesday, warning that conditions will be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.